Revealed: The north and north-east’s best paper boys and girls

By Adele Merson

November 4 2019, 7:00 am

The 2019 home delivery winners. Pictures by Stephen Fraser.

Inspirational youngsters and newspaper delivery veterans have been honoured at a special awards ceremony.

The winners of this year’s Press and Journal and Evening Express Home Delivery Awards were announced yesterday at an event in Marischal Square.

The scheme, sponsored by Graham’s family dairy, recognises the paper boys and girls who brave all weathers to ensure our readers get their newspapers every day.

Nearly 1,000 votes were cast by readers to decide the final winners from across the north-east and Highlands.

The winners were invited to a special ceremony in their honour where they got the chance to tour the office.

Neil Mackland, head of newspaper sales and marketing at Aberdeen Journals, told guests the role of a deliverer was more than “just a paper being put through a door”.

Ben Nicolson, from Peterhead, scooped the P&J Shining Star in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for always going the extra mile.

Ben Nicolson. Picture by Stephen Fraser.

The 17-year-old was praised for helping many of his customers by putting out their bins, or offering comfort after a bereavement.

Ben, who also coaches primary school pupils in football, said: “It’s nice to be recognised. I wasn’t expecting it.”

Adam Black, from Ellon, also won in the same category with one reader saying he was a “lovely polite 15-year old” and an “excellent” time keeper.

Fraser Sandison, 16, won the accolade for the Highlands and Moray, with readers saying his kind gestures range from checks on elderly people, giving cards on special birthdays to even making hospital visits and managing to arrange a wheelchair for one customer.

The 16-year-old, who lives in Elgin, said it was “a bit of a shock” to win.

Proud mum Elspeth said: “I’m very proud that people think so highly of Fraser and that we have brought him up to be such a helpful, caring young lad.”

Phoebe Menzies, from Westhill, was crowned Evening Express Shining Star, as she often helps take in shopping and visiting a local care home.

Cameron Cowell, from Portlethen, was also recognised in the same category, with customers saying he always takes the time to speak to them.

Buckie’s Ben Lorimer, scooped an award in the Retail Deliverer of the Year category, alongside Kyle Lawrie, of Dingwall, and Jamie Liversidge, of Banchory.

Ben, who was described as a “caring young chap”, said he was “delighted” by his win.

Ben picks up his papers from Buckie newsagents Pozzi, which also saw one of its staff members come home with an award.

Malcolm Gordon won a Special Recognition award for his role sorting the newspapers out at the shop and delivering them to all the satellite towns.

Mr Mackland praised the 73-year-old’s “worth ethic and dedication to newspapers”.

Mr Gordon, who has worked for the newsagent around eight years, has only taken 10 days off in eight years but said that “doesn’t bother” him.

David Robertson, who runs the shop, described him as “fantastic” and admitted he couldn’t imagine work without him.

Newspaper canvasser Danny Gallagher was also presented with a Special Recognition award.

Mr Mackland described him as a “real character” who would go out in “all weathers”.

Mr Gallagher, 72, said he was “chuffed to bits” to be recognised for his long service with the company.

He added: “This makes it worth it. I wouldn’t be without my job, I love my job.

“I like getting out and speaking to people and the stories you get told if you’re having an off day.”